June Class 8 orders, job growth show fleets' increasing confidence

Rising freight rates in May and June helped fuel Class 8 orders, which analysts expect to exceed 10,000 through the summer.

By Jim Stinson • July 7, 2020

YRC gets $700M CARES Act loan, Treasury takes 30% stake in carrier

The loan issuance follows quarters of financial struggles for the carrier, and the funds will go toward pension funds, employee healthcare and capital investments. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Updated July 8, 2020

Lawsuit worries heighten as awards increase, social-distancing measures lift

Tort cases are top of mind, though related financial burdens and rising insurance costs are industry concerns beyond the pandemic.

By Jim Stinson • July 1, 2020

FedEx Freight, Ground collaborate on linehaul, intermodal work

The pandemic hit FedEx across all segments, causing revenues to shrink, according to the company's Q4 earnings report. 

By Jim Stinson • July 1, 2020

Cass: Volumes won't return to pre-pandemic levels until 2021

The scale and timing of recovery depend largely on uncertain customer demand amid spiking coronavirus infection rates in many states.

By Matt Leonard • July 1, 2020

TFI acquires 3rd Comcar business in $6.8M deal for CCC Transportation

The Montreal-based carrier has been in a growth spurt, acquiring firms to expand U.S. and Canadian trucking operations and closing its IPO in February. 

By S.L. Fuller • Updated Sept. 9, 2020

Tesla Semi delivers Teslas as Musk wades into auto-hauling business

The auto-hauling sector has no capacity issues, but Tesla's chief is keeping a promise he made in 2018: Build a fleet to move Model 3 cars.

By Jim Stinson • June 30, 2020

Maintenance costs become a 'permanent headwind,' up 30%

Tires are usually the No. 1 problem for the three carrier categories, but FleetNet and TMC reported for the first time the truckload segment didn't see this trend.

By Jim Stinson • June 29, 2020

Trucking braces for next phase of coronavirus

Wave, sequel or fade: Trucking officials say March prepared them for a new possible spate of infections and shutdowns.

By Jim Stinson • June 29, 2020

Trucking shows relative resistance to pandemic as rates, volumes rise during recession

Improved spot rates and volumes are fueling growing confidence, despite concern the health and full recovery of the industry are still in question.

By Jim Stinson • June 25, 2020

State of logistics: Expect carrier cutbacks, bankruptcies

Fleets must adapt to a volatile market by increasing asset utilization and diversifying revenue mix, according to CSCMP's annual report.

By S.L. Fuller • June 23, 2020

A well-planned Chapter 11 can save a fleet

"Chapter 11 is intended to enable companies to restructure debts and to reorganize and revitalize their businesses. But preplanning and speed are key," the authors write. 

By Kenneth A. Rosen Mary E. Seymour Philip J. Gross • June 22, 2020

FMC: Trucks should return empties to pickup terminal, increasing dual transactions

The process would boost driver productivity and reduce congestion at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

By S.L. Fuller • June 19, 2020

'The virus is not done with us': Carriers foresee lingering COVID-19 challenges

Trucking firms are likely struggling with lack of freight, closed customers, low rates and driver absenteeism, Morgan Stanley said.

By Jim Stinson • June 19, 2020

California to pilot zero-emissions delivery zone

Local leaders in Santa Monica said the pilot program in the city's downtown commercial core will help them achieve ambitious emissions goals by 2028.

By Chris Teale • June 17, 2020

How XPO, Estes kept workers safe and planned around coronavirus

Communication and technology have become big parts of the new normal for trucking, executives said.

By Jim Stinson • June 17, 2020

Pandemic accelerates fleets toward electronic BOLs, PODs

Carriers and shippers have adopted new ways of signing paperwork at the loading dock to maintain social distance.

By Heather Larson • June 15, 2020

Tech-focused large carriers in position to capture market share

Fleets can use automation to optimize network density during times of overcapacity, and can use tech to improve service levels with shippers no matter the state of the market. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 12, 2020

Spot rates recover in long, slow slog back to normality

Data from DAT shows van, reefer and flatbed rates have returned to pre-shutdown levels, coinciding with industry leader predictions that the economy is poised for a sharp reopening.

By Jim Stinson • June 12, 2020

How volume uncertainty plays into the RFP process

Carriers should look for shippers to be transparent in the bidding process, because volume estimates made at the end of last year don't hold water now. 

By Gary Wollenhaupt • June 10, 2020

Navistar maintains US operations but has challenges with suppliers in Mexico

Company officials said a drop in the truck segment was partially because of lower Mexico volumes and a decrease in GM-branded units being sold.

By Jim Stinson • June 4, 2020

Fleets weigh whether to keep pandemic-driven digital changes

Some are concerned a growing impersonal transactional model could threaten trucking's historic reliance on relationships with customers.

By Jim Stinson • June 4, 2020

For firms on the cusp of bankruptcy, Section 363 or Chapter 11?

The Section 363 process can result in quicker sales and more proceeds to secured creditors, but there are risks. 

By Robert Freedman • June 3, 2020

Knight-Swift sees potential for 'acute tightness' in capacity for Q4

As demand comes back online, there is opportunity for a favorable carrier advantage, the CEO said.

By Jim Stinson • June 3, 2020

ATA forges ahead with MCE as other conferences cancel

Conferences are a major source of income for trucking, freight and logistics organizations, and the pandemic did substantial damage to the revenue of the parent firms of such events.

By Jim Stinson • June 2, 2020